Man Utd and Chelsea players on Barcelona short list

onMarch 30, 2013

Spanish daily Sport believes they have the inside track on Barcelona’s goalkeeper hunt, and report that Liverpool stopper and former Barca youth product Pepe Reina has failed to make the final three man shortlist.

Youth is the theme of Barcelona’s keeper search, and they have identified Manchester United keeper David de Gea and Atletico Madrid’s on loan Chelsea stopper Thibaut Courtois as the two men most likely to replace Victor Valdes in the Barcelona goal. 26 year-old Valencia man Vicente Guaita is the third name on the Barca shopping list and will no doubt be the least expensive, but Barca are only likely to turn to Guaita if they fail to convince Manchester United and Chelsea to part with one of the aforementioned goalkeepers.

While Liverpool fans will breathe easy that Reina is unlikely to return home this summer, they can expect a bid for the Spaniard from Premier League rivals Arsenal, who are also in the market for an experienced keeper.

Manchester United meanwhile are expected to reject offers for De Gea unless they get a substantial return on their 18 million pound investment in the young keeper and Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic accepts an opportunity to be the new United no.1.